Social Issues: Office Of Homeless Services Strives To Transition People Off The Street
Native Philadelphian Liz Hersh is the director of the City of Philadelphia’s Office of Homeless Services. Prior to working for the city, Hersh ran the Housing Alliance of Pennsylvania for 14 years. Her experience has given her insight working with Philadelphia’s homeless residents. What led you to this job as the director of the Office of […]
Southwest Philadelphia: Local Churches Open Its Doors To The Hungry
While it can be difficult to pinpoint the exact number of homeless individuals living within a city, the city of Philadelphia’s count as of January 2016 determined 705 people living within the city were entirely unsheltered. Local nonprofit organization Project HOME states one of the main causes of homelessness is poverty, which stems from lack of jobs at competitive living wages. With […]
Spruce Hill: Renovations Underway For Homeless Veteran Shelter
Many organizations in Philadelphia serve a very specific niche. With more than 22 years of service, the Philadelphia Veterans Comfort House hopes to give homeless veterans a chance to start over and become productive members of society. The PVCH offered program 365 days per year. All programs are designed specifically for veterans, including addiction and […]
Brewerytown: Coffee Shop Doubles as a Resource for Former Foster Youths
Though it seems like an ordinary coffee shop, The Monkey & The Elephant in Brewerytown is an entirely unique organization. Its only employees, besides management, are young people who have just recently exited the foster system. Lisa Miccolis, the founder and executive director of The Monkey & The Elephant, pictured above, had years of experience working […]
Point Breeze: Local Organizations Partner To Build Affordable Housing
Point Breeze has seen a surge in development in the last few years, which is causing concern over the increasing prices for rental units. On Feb. 9, the Women’s Community Revitalization Project (WCRP) received approval from the Philadelphia Vacant Property Review Committee for two parcels in Point Breeze that will become the Mamie Nichols Townhomes. WCRP, an organization […]
Germantown: Frank Anderson Works to Create Positive Outcomes for Homeless
Frank Anderson is the case manager at Germantown Life Enrichment Center, located at 5722 Greene St. The center is a historic interfaith association for culture and fitness. The GLEC offers a full aquatic program with a swim team as well as swim lessons. The center also features CPR training, a complete weight room and a fitness program with […]
Germantown: A Place for Young Mothers to Call Home
Covenant House is a non-governmental, international organization that serves teenage and adolescent runaway homeless and trafficked youth. They have the only five beds in the entire city of Philadelphia that is specifically targeted for teenage and adolescent mothers and babies. “One of the reasons some young kids would be kicked out of their home is […]
Kensington: St. Francis Inn Offers Homeless Guests Meals, Dignity
Since 1979, St. Francis Inn Ministries has been providing services to residents and homeless individuals in the Kensington area. For the most part, St. Francis Inn, which is in cooperation with Project HOME, is a soup kitchen which offers up to two meals to those in need. The kitchen does not turn anyone away, seeing […]
Olde Kensington: Director Keeps LSH a Well-Oiled Machine
Inside the Lutheran Settlement House, at 1340 Frankford Ave., is an atmosphere of constant activity where people are always smiling. From bingo to GED preparation, the century-old building houses enough social services to satisfy the community’s neediest. The building must stay a well-oiled machine through funding and lots of care; a task executive director Kelly […]
Spruce Hill: Veterans House Gives Hope and Help to Homeless Heroes
The Philadelphia Veterans House, located on Baltimore Avenue, has been a place of refuge for those who served in the military since it opened in 1994. The temporary housing gives those who fought for the country a place to stay while they get back on their feet. “A few years ago we noticed a great need […]